Orchis militaris, 1753

D. M. Moore (ed.), 1980, CCIII Orchidaceae, Flora Europaea, Vol 5: Alismataceae to Orchidaceae, Camebridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 325-350 : 340

12. O. militaris L. ,

Sp. PI. 941 (1753).

Tubers ovoid or ellip­ soid. Stem 20-45 cm, erect, with 3-5 leaves near base and with sheaths above, naked in the uppermost part. Leaves oblong- lanceolate or -ovate, flat. Spike conical at first, becoming cylindrical. Bracts ovate-lanceolate, often violet, usually much shorter than ovary. Perianth-segments all convergent into a galea; outer 10-15 mm, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, acute, pink; inner linear; galea whitish- or greyish-pink, with purple veins inside. Labellum 12-15 mm, longer than wide, purple, white at the base, 3-lobed; lateral lobes linear, obtuse; middle lobe narrow, transversely oblong at the apex, 2-lobed, the lobules ovate or oblong, rarely linear, with short teeth between; all segments flat, very rarely arcuate or revolute. Spur narrowly cylindrical, directed downwards, usually 1 /2 as long as ovary. 2n = 42.

From S. England and N. W. Russia southwards to N. C. Spain, C. Italy and Bulgaria. Au Be Br Bu Cz Ga Ge He Ho Hs Hu It Ju Po Rm Rs (B, C, W, K, E) Su Tu.